10887787

Reflective QoS Control In Wireless Communications

PublishedJanuary 5, 2021
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

Patent Claims
19 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A method, comprising: receiving, by a processor of a user equipment (UE), control signaling from a wireless network that activates support of reflective quality of service (QoS) by the UE; determining, by the processor, whether a predefined condition exists; and indicating, by the processor to the wireless network, a revocation of a previously indicated support of the reflective QoS by the UE responsive to the determining indicating that the predefined condition exists.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to managing reflective Quality of Service (QoS) in user equipment (UE). Reflective QoS allows a UE to mirror QoS parameters from downlink traffic to uplink traffic, improving service consistency. The problem addressed is ensuring efficient and dynamic management of reflective QoS support, particularly when conditions change. The method involves a UE receiving control signaling from a wireless network that activates reflective QoS support. The UE then evaluates whether a predefined condition exists, such as a change in network conditions, UE capabilities, or user preferences. If the condition is met, the UE indicates to the network that it is revoking its previously declared support for reflective QoS. This dynamic adjustment prevents unnecessary resource allocation and optimizes network performance. The predefined condition may include factors like battery status, network congestion, or application requirements. By revoking reflective QoS support when conditions warrant, the UE ensures efficient resource utilization and maintains service quality. The method enables adaptive QoS management, balancing network efficiency and user experience.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predefined condition comprises one or more of: a condition in which the UE is not able to comply with a data rate required by the reflective QoS; a condition in which the UE is in or is entering a power-saving mode; and a condition in which a temperature of a portion of the UE exceeds a threshold.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically managing reflective Quality of Service (QoS) in user equipment (UE) devices. The problem addressed is ensuring efficient resource utilization and device performance when reflective QoS requirements conflict with UE capabilities or operational states. The method involves modifying reflective QoS parameters when a predefined condition is met. These conditions include scenarios where the UE cannot meet the required data rate, when the UE is in or transitioning to a power-saving mode, or when a component's temperature exceeds a safety threshold. The modification ensures the UE operates within its constraints while maintaining service quality. The reflective QoS parameters may be adjusted by a network entity or the UE itself, depending on the implementation. The adjustment can involve reducing data rates, delaying transmissions, or temporarily suspending certain services to prevent overheating or excessive power consumption. This approach balances performance and device health, particularly in resource-constrained or high-demand scenarios. The solution is applicable to various wireless standards, including 5G and beyond, where reflective QoS is used to optimize network efficiency. By dynamically adapting to UE limitations, the method prevents performance degradation and extends battery life while ensuring compliance with network policies.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the indicating the revocation of the previously indicated support of the reflective QoS by the UE comprises transmitting, to the wireless network, an uplink (UL) signaling message indicating that a capability bit of the UE to support the reflective QoS is set to a value representing “not supported”.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to methods for managing reflective Quality of Service (QoS) in user equipment (UE). Reflective QoS is a mechanism where a network provides QoS parameters to a UE, which then reflects these parameters back to the network to establish a QoS flow. The problem addressed is efficiently signaling the revocation of previously indicated support for reflective QoS by the UE. The method involves the UE transmitting an uplink (UL) signaling message to the wireless network. This message indicates that a capability bit of the UE, which represents its ability to support reflective QoS, is set to a value representing “not supported.” This signaling allows the network to recognize that the UE no longer supports reflective QoS, enabling the network to adjust its operations accordingly. The method ensures that the network is promptly informed of changes in the UE’s capabilities, preventing misconfigurations and improving resource management. The signaling is performed through standard uplink control channels, ensuring compatibility with existing wireless communication protocols. This approach simplifies the revocation process and enhances the efficiency of QoS management in wireless networks.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the UL signaling message further indicates a cause for not creating the given UE-derived QoS rule.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to methods for handling Quality of Service (QoS) rule creation in a user equipment (UE) device. The problem addressed is the need for efficient signaling between a UE and a network to manage QoS rules derived by the UE, particularly when the network cannot create a requested QoS rule. The method involves transmitting an uplink (UL) signaling message from the UE to the network. This message includes an indication that the network should create a specific QoS rule derived by the UE. The UL signaling message also includes additional information specifying a reason or cause if the network cannot create the requested QoS rule. This allows the network to provide feedback to the UE about why the rule was not established, enabling the UE to adjust its behavior or request modifications accordingly. The method ensures proper communication and coordination between the UE and the network to handle QoS rule management effectively, improving overall system performance and resource utilization. The invention is particularly useful in scenarios where dynamic QoS adjustments are necessary to support varying application requirements in wireless networks.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the cause indicates that a maximum number of supported UE-derived QoS rules is reached.

Plain English Translation

A system and method for managing quality of service (QoS) rules in a wireless communication network, particularly when the maximum number of supported user equipment (UE)-derived QoS rules is reached. In wireless networks, QoS rules are used to prioritize and manage data traffic for different services, ensuring efficient resource allocation. However, network nodes may have a limited capacity to handle UE-derived QoS rules, which are dynamically generated based on application requirements. When this capacity is exhausted, the system must determine the cause of the limitation and take appropriate action. The method involves detecting that the maximum number of supported UE-derived QoS rules has been reached, which can occur due to resource constraints or policy restrictions. Upon detection, the system identifies the cause of the limitation, such as insufficient network resources or a policy preventing further rule creation. Based on this determination, the system may modify existing QoS rules, reject new rule requests, or prioritize certain rules over others to maintain network stability. This ensures that critical services continue to operate while preventing network congestion or degradation of service quality. The approach helps optimize resource utilization and maintain reliable communication in dynamic wireless environments.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the cause indicates that a maximum number of supported packet filters is reached.

Plain English Translation

A system monitors network traffic by applying packet filters to incoming data packets. The system includes a packet filter manager that tracks the number of active packet filters and compares this count against a predefined maximum limit. When the maximum number of supported packet filters is reached, the system generates an alert indicating that no additional filters can be added. This alert may trigger administrative actions, such as removing or modifying existing filters to free up capacity. The system ensures efficient network traffic management by preventing resource exhaustion and maintaining optimal performance. The packet filter manager may also log the event for troubleshooting and capacity planning. This approach helps network administrators maintain control over filter allocation and avoid service disruptions due to filter overload.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: modifying, by the processor, the capability of the UE to support the reflective QoS during a protocol data unit (PDU) session modification procedure.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically enhancing the quality of service (QoS) management for user equipment (UE) in 5G networks. The problem addressed is the need for dynamic adjustment of UE capabilities to support reflective QoS, which allows the network to automatically configure QoS parameters based on application traffic patterns. The invention provides a method where a processor modifies the UE's ability to support reflective QoS during a protocol data unit (PDU) session modification procedure. This involves updating the UE's configuration to enable or disable reflective QoS features as needed, ensuring efficient resource allocation and improved service quality. The method includes receiving a PDU session modification request from the network, determining the UE's current reflective QoS capabilities, and adjusting those capabilities based on the request. This dynamic adjustment allows the network to optimize QoS handling without manual intervention, improving flexibility and performance in real-time communication scenarios. The invention ensures seamless adaptation to changing network conditions and application requirements, enhancing overall user experience.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the modifying of the capability of the UE to support the reflective QoS comprises revoking support for the reflective QoS.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically managing Quality of Service (QoS) in user equipment (UE) devices. The problem addressed is the need to dynamically adjust or disable reflective QoS capabilities in UEs to optimize network performance and resource allocation. Reflective QoS allows UEs to automatically mirror QoS parameters from downlink traffic to uplink traffic, but this can lead to inefficiencies or conflicts in certain scenarios. The invention describes a method for modifying a UE's ability to support reflective QoS. Specifically, it involves revoking or disabling the UE's reflective QoS functionality entirely. This adjustment is triggered by network conditions, policy changes, or other operational requirements. By revoking reflective QoS, the UE no longer automatically mirrors downlink QoS parameters to uplink traffic, preventing potential mismatches or resource wastage. The method ensures that QoS management remains flexible and adaptable to varying network demands, improving overall system efficiency. The revocation process may involve signaling from the network or internal UE logic, ensuring seamless integration with existing communication protocols. This approach enhances network control and optimizes resource utilization while maintaining service quality.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the modifying of the capability of the UE to support the reflective QoS comprises revoking support for the reflective QoS during one or more PDU sessions.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to managing Quality of Service (QoS) in user equipment (UE) devices. The problem addressed is the need to dynamically adjust a UE's ability to support reflective QoS, which allows the network to automatically configure QoS parameters based on downlink traffic. The invention provides a method to modify a UE's reflective QoS capability during active Packet Data Unit (PDU) sessions, ensuring efficient resource allocation and network performance. The method involves revoking the UE's support for reflective QoS during one or more PDU sessions. This adjustment can be triggered by network conditions, policy changes, or UE capabilities. By selectively disabling reflective QoS, the network can optimize bandwidth usage, reduce signaling overhead, and improve overall system efficiency. The UE may still maintain other QoS mechanisms while reflective QoS is revoked, ensuring uninterrupted service for critical applications. This approach allows flexible QoS management without requiring session termination, enhancing user experience and network reliability. The solution is particularly useful in scenarios where dynamic adaptation of QoS parameters is necessary to handle varying traffic demands or network constraints.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the modifying of the capability of the UE to support the reflective QoS comprises: determining a policy decision function session for which support of reflective QoS is to be revoked; transmitting, to the wireless network, a PDU Session Modification Request message indicating a PDU session identification (ID) of the determined PDU session and a change in status of whether the reflective QoS is supported by the UE; and receiving, from the wireless network, a PDU Session Modification Command message indicating deactivation of support for the reflective QoS.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to managing reflective Quality of Service (QoS) in user equipment (UE) within a 5G or similar network. Reflective QoS allows a UE to dynamically adjust its QoS parameters based on network conditions, but this can consume significant resources. The invention addresses the need to efficiently revoke reflective QoS support for specific Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions when no longer needed, optimizing network and UE resource usage. The method involves a UE determining that reflective QoS support should be revoked for a particular PDU session, such as when the session no longer requires dynamic QoS adjustments. The UE then transmits a PDU Session Modification Request message to the wireless network, specifying the PDU session ID and indicating that reflective QoS support is being deactivated. The network processes this request and responds with a PDU Session Modification Command message confirming the deactivation of reflective QoS for that session. This ensures that the UE and network no longer allocate resources to reflective QoS for the specified session, improving efficiency. The method may be part of a broader session management process, where the UE and network dynamically adjust QoS support based on session requirements and network conditions.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: deleting, by the processor, one or more UE-derived QoS rules upon release of a protocol data unit (PDU) session responsive to the reflective QoS being supported during the PDU session.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically managing Quality of Service (QoS) rules for User Equipment (UE) in a 5G or similar network. The problem addressed is the inefficient handling of UE-derived QoS rules when a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session is released, particularly when reflective QoS is supported. Reflective QoS allows the network to dynamically assign QoS rules based on traffic patterns, but existing systems may retain unnecessary rules after session termination, leading to resource waste and potential conflicts. The method involves a processor monitoring the PDU session and detecting its release. Upon release, if reflective QoS was active during the session, the processor automatically deletes the associated UE-derived QoS rules. This ensures that outdated or irrelevant rules do not persist in the system, improving efficiency and preventing misconfigurations. The solution integrates with existing QoS rule management processes, ensuring seamless operation without manual intervention. The deletion process is triggered by the session release event, ensuring timely cleanup and maintaining system integrity. This approach optimizes network performance by reducing unnecessary rule storage and processing overhead.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. A method, comprising: supporting, by a processor of a user equipment (UE), reflective quality of service (QoS) in a wireless communication with a wireless network by generating a plurality of active UE-derived QoS rules; deleting, by the processor, one or more UE-derived QoS rules among the plurality of active UE-derived QoS rules each with a respective reflective QoS (RQ) timer running; and indicating, by the processor to the wireless network, deletion of the deleted one or more UE-derived QoS rules although the respective RQ timer of each of the deleted one or more UE-derived QoS rules is running.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically improving quality of service (QoS) management in user equipment (UE) devices. The problem addressed is the inefficient handling of reflective QoS (RQ) rules in wireless networks, where existing systems may not properly manage rule lifetimes, leading to resource waste or degraded performance. The method involves a UE processor dynamically managing QoS rules by generating multiple active UE-derived QoS rules for wireless communication with a network. These rules are created to reflect the UE's current communication needs. The processor then selectively deletes one or more of these active rules, even if their associated reflective QoS (RQ) timers are still running. The UE explicitly notifies the wireless network of these deletions, ensuring the network is aware of the rule removals despite the timers still being active. This proactive deletion and notification mechanism prevents unnecessary resource allocation and improves network efficiency by aligning the network's QoS state with the UE's actual requirements. The solution enhances QoS management by allowing the UE to dynamically adjust its rules without waiting for timer expirations, optimizing both UE and network performance.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the deleted one or more UE-derived QoS rules comprises a least used UE-derived QoS rule among the plurality of active UE-derived QoS rules.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to managing Quality of Service (QoS) rules in a wireless communication system, specifically addressing the challenge of efficiently handling UE-derived QoS rules to optimize network resources. In wireless networks, User Equipment (UE) devices may generate multiple QoS rules to ensure proper data transmission quality. However, an excessive number of active QoS rules can lead to resource inefficiencies, such as increased signaling overhead and processing delays. The invention provides a method to selectively delete one or more UE-derived QoS rules when a predefined condition is met, such as when the number of active rules exceeds a threshold. The method prioritizes the deletion of the least used QoS rule among the active rules to minimize the impact on ongoing communications. By removing the least utilized rule, the system maintains essential QoS requirements while reducing unnecessary resource consumption. This approach ensures efficient resource allocation and improves overall network performance without disrupting critical services. The invention is particularly useful in scenarios where network congestion or resource constraints require dynamic QoS rule management.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the least used UE-derived QoS rule comprises one of the plurality of active UE-derived QoS rules for which the respective RQ timer has been running a longest time compared to respective RQ timers of other UE-derived QoS rules among the plurality of active UE-derived QoS rules.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to managing Quality of Service (QoS) rules for User Equipment (UE) in a network. The problem addressed is efficiently handling multiple active QoS rules to optimize network resources and ensure timely service delivery. In wireless networks, UE devices may have multiple active QoS rules, each associated with a Resource Quality (RQ) timer that tracks usage. When network resources are constrained, it is necessary to determine which QoS rules are least used to prioritize resource allocation or deactivation. The invention provides a method to identify the least used QoS rule among a plurality of active UE-derived QoS rules. The method compares the running times of the RQ timers associated with each active QoS rule. The least used QoS rule is defined as the one whose RQ timer has been running the longest time relative to the other active QoS rules. This approach ensures that the least recently or least frequently used QoS rule is prioritized for resource management decisions, such as deactivation or reduced priority, thereby optimizing network efficiency. The method applies to scenarios where multiple QoS rules are active, and their usage must be dynamically assessed to maintain network performance.

Claim 15

Original Legal Text

15. An apparatus implementable in a user equipment (UE), comprising: a processor capable of: receiving, from a wireless network, control signaling that activates support of reflective quality of service (QoS) by the UE; determining whether a predefined condition exists; and indicating, to the wireless network, a change in a capability of the UE to support the reflective QoS by the apparatus responsive to the determining indicating that the predefined condition exists.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to managing reflective Quality of Service (QoS) in user equipment (UE). Reflective QoS allows a UE to mirror QoS parameters from a downlink data flow to an uplink data flow, ensuring consistent service quality. The problem addressed is the need for dynamic adjustment of reflective QoS support based on changing UE conditions, such as resource availability or network state. The apparatus in the UE includes a processor that receives control signaling from a wireless network to activate reflective QoS support. The processor then evaluates whether a predefined condition exists, such as a change in UE capabilities or network conditions. If the condition is met, the processor signals the network to indicate a change in the UE's ability to support reflective QoS. This allows the network to adapt QoS handling dynamically, improving efficiency and service quality. The predefined condition may include factors like battery status, processing load, or network congestion, ensuring the UE operates optimally without overloading resources. The apparatus ensures seamless QoS management by enabling real-time adjustments based on UE and network conditions.

Claim 16

Original Legal Text

16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the processor is further capable of modifying the capability of the UE to support the reflective QoS during a protocol data unit (PDU) session modification procedure by performing operations comprising: determining a policy decision function session for which support of reflective QoS is to be revoked; transmitting, to the wireless network, a PDU Session Modification Request message indicating a PDU session identification (ID) of the determined PDU session and a change in status of whether the reflective QoS is supported by the UE; and receiving, from the wireless network, a PDU Session Modification Command message indicating deactivation of support for the reflective QoS.

Plain English Translation

In wireless communication systems, Quality of Service (QoS) management is critical for ensuring efficient data transmission. Reflective QoS is a mechanism where a user equipment (UE) dynamically reflects QoS rules received from a network to optimize traffic handling. However, there may be scenarios where the UE needs to modify or deactivate reflective QoS support during an active protocol data unit (PDU) session. This invention describes an apparatus for dynamically adjusting reflective QoS capabilities in a UE during a PDU session modification procedure. The apparatus includes a processor that determines when to revoke reflective QoS support for a specific PDU session. The processor then transmits a PDU Session Modification Request message to the wireless network, specifying the PDU session ID and indicating a change in the UE's support status for reflective QoS. The network responds with a PDU Session Modification Command message confirming the deactivation of reflective QoS. This allows the UE to adapt its QoS handling dynamically, improving flexibility and resource management in wireless networks. The invention ensures seamless transitions in QoS support without disrupting ongoing sessions, enhancing overall network efficiency.

Claim 17

Original Legal Text

17. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the processor is further capable of indicating, to the wireless network, to revoke a previously indicated support of reflective QoS by the UE responsive to the determining indicating that the predefined condition exists.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically managing Quality of Service (QoS) in user equipment (UE) devices. The problem addressed is the need for dynamic adjustment of QoS support in response to changing network conditions or device capabilities. The apparatus includes a processor in the UE that monitors predefined conditions, such as network congestion, battery level, or signal strength. When these conditions are met, the processor can revoke previously indicated support for reflective QoS, which is a mechanism where the UE mirrors QoS parameters from an uplink flow to a downlink flow. The apparatus also includes a transceiver for communicating with the wireless network and a memory for storing QoS parameters. The processor determines whether the predefined condition exists and, if so, signals the network to revoke the reflective QoS support. This ensures efficient resource allocation and prevents unnecessary QoS overhead when conditions no longer justify it. The invention improves network performance by dynamically adapting QoS support based on real-time conditions.

Claim 18

Original Legal Text

18. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the processor is further capable of either or both of: deleting one or more UE-derived QoS rules upon release of a protocol data unit (PDU) session; and modifying the capability of the UE to support the reflective QoS during a PDU session modification procedure.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to managing Quality of Service (QoS) rules in a User Equipment (UE) device. The problem addressed is the inefficient handling of QoS rules during protocol data unit (PDU) session operations, which can lead to unnecessary resource consumption or degraded service quality. The apparatus includes a processor configured to manage QoS rules derived from the UE. The processor can delete one or more of these UE-derived QoS rules when a PDU session is released, ensuring that outdated or irrelevant rules do not persist in the system. Additionally, the processor can modify the UE's capability to support reflective QoS during a PDU session modification procedure. Reflective QoS allows the UE to mirror QoS parameters from downlink traffic to uplink traffic, improving service consistency. By adjusting this capability during session modifications, the system can adapt to changing network conditions or user requirements, optimizing resource allocation and performance. This solution enhances the efficiency of QoS rule management in wireless networks, reducing unnecessary overhead and improving service reliability. The dynamic adjustment of reflective QoS support ensures that the UE operates optimally under varying conditions.

Claim 19

Original Legal Text

19. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the processor is further capable of deleting one or more UE-derived QoS rules among a plurality of active UE-derived QoS rules each with a respective reflective QoS (RQ) timer running.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically managing Quality of Service (QoS) rules in user equipment (UE) devices. The problem addressed is the inefficient handling of reflective QoS (RQ) rules, which are dynamically generated based on downlink traffic and may become obsolete or unnecessary over time. The invention provides a solution by enabling a processor in a network node to selectively delete one or more UE-derived QoS rules from a set of active rules, each associated with an RQ timer. The deletion process ensures that only relevant QoS rules remain active, optimizing network resources and reducing unnecessary signaling. The processor evaluates the status of each RQ timer and removes rules where the timer has expired or where the rule is no longer needed, thereby maintaining efficient QoS management. This selective deletion prevents resource wastage and improves overall network performance by avoiding the accumulation of stale or redundant QoS rules. The invention is particularly useful in scenarios where dynamic QoS rule generation is frequent, such as in 5G networks with reflective QoS mechanisms.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

Unknown

Publication Date

January 5, 2021

Inventors

Yu-Syuan Jheng
Guillaume Sebire
Chien-Chun Huang-Fu
Mingcong Sun

Want to explore more patents?

Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.

Citation & reuse

Analysis on this page is generated by Patentable — an AI-powered patent intelligence platform. AI-generated summaries, explanations, FAQs, and analysis may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL below. Patent abstracts and claims are USPTO public domain.

Cite as: Patentable. “Reflective QoS Control In Wireless Communications” (10887787). https://patentable.app/patents/10887787

© 2026 Nomic Interactive Technology LLC. Machine-readable context available at /api/llm-context/10887787. See llms.txt for full attribution policy.

Reflective QoS Control In Wireless Communications